Kerala, the southern state of India, is currently facing another outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) that has already claimed two lives this year. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the central government has increased surveillance on bats, which are believed to be the source of the virus, and has deployed a team of experts to Kerala to support the state authorities.

The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is currently testing four samples for the virus and conducting genome sequencing to identify the specific strain involved. The Nipah virus is a highly dangerous pathogen that was first discovered during an encephalitis outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia in 1998.

Since then, it has been reported in several other countries, including Singapore, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and India. Within India, outbreaks have occurred in West Bengal and Kerala. The virus is known for its high fatality rate, as seen in previous outbreaks in Siliguri (2001), Nadia (2007), and Kozhikode, Kerala (2018).

Transmission of the Nipah virus in India is primarily linked to Pteropus bats, also known as fruit bats, which are considered a potential source of human infection. Symptoms of the virus range from fever, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pain to severe respiratory issues and neurological symptoms such as altered awareness and seizures.

Transmission to humans typically occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected bats, pigs, or other individuals. Currently, Kozhikode in Kerala is the epicenter of the outbreak. Local authorities have declared several areas as containment zones and implemented travel restrictions. Residents in these zones